BREAKING FREE (pragya's story) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 23 - Haldi 1

It had been a week since the restaurant fiasco, Purab and Abhi's falling out, the Khanna's exit from the Mehra household and arrival and welcome into the Arora-Singh household. The family had decided to would be best to wait until the scandal had died down and also to give an opportunity for the Khanna's to settle into their new home before proceeding with the wedding celebrations.

The Aftermath of the ruckus created a very awkward tension between the bride and grooms family, Daadi even personally went to the Arora mansion and almost prostrated herself before the family in absolute shame as she begged for their forgiveness on behalf of her foolish grandson. The poor lady feared that the incident would cause the Singhs to decide to break the alliance and pleaded endlessly for sake of her beloved great-granddaughter, it was truly a sorry sight to behold as the family felt awful to see a woman of her age having to reduce herself to that level all because of a piece of garbage like Abhi.

The Singhs assured her that the marriage would certainly proceed, but made it clear that because of Abhi's actions they would not under any circumstances set foot in the Mehra Mansion.....so they declared that all the rituals would take place at the Arora mansion and the wedding at the Kumkum Bhagya marriage hall owned by the Aroras. Daadi gladly agreed to the terms and the two families decided that the haldi would take place the following week.

Now to the present day, it was finally the day of the haldi ceremony....the entire Arora Mansion was adorned in gorgeous decorations, the bright yellow, orange and white flowers covered almost every inch of the house. It looked like nothing short of a royal palace from a beautiful fairy tale.

ARORA MANSION - Living room

Sarla and Dholi were busy making the preparations, it was still early in the morning but they were both perfectionists and wanted to everything ready ahead of time. The only youngster who was up and helping with the arrangements was our very own designer queen miss Shrishti Arora who was showing off her incredible decor skills, the rest of the Arora-Singhs were getting ready in their rooms.

Shrishti : yes that goes outside with the canopy, please be careful... it's the center piece.

She said in an authoritative but polite tone to one of her design team staff who were moving a piece of furniture outside for the outdoor platform.

Sarla smiled as she watched her daughter in work mode, even though Shrishti was the silly playful youngest baby, when it came to her work she was just as serious, passionate and driven as her mother.

Dholi noticed Sarla staring and came over and stood beside her.

Dholi : Our Baby is all grown up hey

Sarla put her head on Dholi's shoulder smiling and sighed.

Sarla : She really has.....it feels like it was just yesterday I got them back into my life after so many years.

She said a little tearfully as she reminisced both her separation from her daughters when her marriage ended and also her reunion with them 10 years ago, how hard it was for them to reconnect in the beginning.

Dholi : Aaah, now what are these tears?

She said as she wiped the tears off Sarla's face

Dholi : Remember we promised no more tears, at least not today okay? Today is for celebration only.

Sarla : you're right, I'm sorry....... okay let's finish the arrangements. Have you heard from Daadi?

Dholi : yes, I called her a few minutes ago and she said they'll be here soon. I've already ordered the staff to finish preparing the changing room for Our lovely Bride.